Foxconn Factory Closed After 2,000 Workers Brawl

A Foxconn factory in Taiyuan, China — where many of Apple’s devices are assembled before being shipped — has had to be closed after 2,000 workers became involved in a “mass disturbance” on Sunday evening.

The fight reportedly broke out after a personal quarrel involving workers from two different production lines, but messages posted to Chinese microblogging network Sina Weibo have claimed that the brawl was actually caused by factory guards beating Foxconn workers.

The plant employs around 79,000 workers, and is currently manufacturing the aluminum backplates for Apple’s hugely successful iPhone 5. But it has now been closed while police and company officials investigate the cause of the fights.

“The plant is closed today for investigation,” Foxconn spokesman Louis Woo told Reuters, while another employee said that it could remain closed for two to three days.

“The cause of this dispute is under investigation by local authorities and we are working closely with them in this process, but it appears not to have been work-related,” Foxconn said.

It is reported that 40 people were injured during the disturbance, which police had brought under control by 3 a.m. on Monday morning. Thankfully, it appears none of the injuries were life threatening.